Pacific vote no longer guaranteed as parties fight for a changing political landscape

For generations, Pacific voters have been seen as a reliable base for Labour.

But ahead of this year’s election, political parties are facing a new reality: Pacific voters are asking more questions and weighing up their choices.

The latest PMN Horizon Research Pacific Issues Election Survey shows Labour remains the strongest choice among Pacific respondents.

But political figures say the results also point to changing attitudes within communities.

Green MP Teanau Tuiono says long-standing political loyalties can no longer be taken for granted.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Tuiono said Pacific families have historically had strong connections with Labour, but younger generations are looking closely at what parties are offering.

Listen to Teanau Tuiono’s full interview below.

“I come from a traditionally Labour family like many of us within the Pacific. Loyalty is a good trait and we have that in abundance within the Pacific, but of course that loyalty always needs to be tested,” Tuiono says.

“If you would have done this poll 40 years ago it would have probably been 100 per cent Labour, so things are changing and it's important for us to continue to push for that.”

Tuiono says younger Pacific voters are focused on issues that directly affect their future.

The 2026 general election will be held on Saturday, 7 November, with advance voting opening on Monday, 26 October. Photo/Auckland Council

“Particularly because our young people want action on climate change, so that they can get into affordable housing, pay their bills, put food on the table and keep the lights on.”

Labour MP Tangi Utikere the party welcomes the continued support shown in the survey but knows there is more work to do before election day.

“Of course that's heartening. But… there's a wee way to go through to the election. When I reflect on that result, we think about the record high levels of unemployment facing our Pacific community,” Utikere says.

“We look at the slashes in this year's budget and in previous budgets for our Pacific community as well. So I'm not surprised, but there is still a lot of work to do.”

Watch Tangi Utikere’s full interview below.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the focus now must be on helping families manage financial pressures.

“So we've got to get wages growing again because that's one of the ways that you help people to catch up with the cost of living,” Hipkins says.

“We've also got to focus on the Government doing what it can do to ease some of that financial pressure... capping public transport fares, making it cheaper and easier for people to put solar panels on their roofs so they can bring their own electricity bills down.”

Listen to Chris Hipkin’s full interview below.

New Zealand First candidate Alfred Ngaro believes the survey also reflects a Pacific community open to chance.

While acknowledging the poll provides a snapshot rather than the full picture, Ngaro says his experience campaigning across the country shows there is movement among Pacific voters. .

“Because the reality is that for the last five and a half weeks, I've been travelling throughout the country on behalf of the party, and the mood on the ground is quite different in a lot of cases,” Ngaro tells Terite.

“In Māngere just recently, about four weeks ago, at the Fale Sāmoa, the heart of Labour territory, we had over 400 Pasifika inside the Fale Sāmoa, where we announced three Pasifika candidates in particular.

Watch Alfred Ngaro’s full interview below.

“While the poll I think is a good poll, it gives a direction, there's a groundswell of change in our Pasifika communities.”

The survey also found cost of living remains a major concern for Pacific voters, with 90 per cent saying it will influence their decision at the election.

But the bigger question now is whether traditional political loyalties will continue or whether Pacific voters are entering a new era where parties must compete harder for every vote.

The 2026 general election will be held on Saturday, 7 November, with advance voting opening on Monday, 26 October. For more information, visit the Electoral Commission’s website.